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Friday, February 5, 2010

What I Do

Just recently, someone asked the question, "Who do you admire?" There were many responses from people including public figures, important celebrities and cherished family members. It didn't take me long to answer. I admire the parents and families of my students with special needs.

Every day I have the extreme joy of being able to touch people's lives. I get to watch children blossom and grow in big and small ways. To find joy in the fact that someone spontaneously greeted me or someone counted past 5. To teach a struggling child how to read and watch his/her face light up when it happens. It is a gift that these children are in my life.

I admire their parents who work tirelessly to help make them successful. The parents who come to grips with the fact that there is someone different about their child...to accept and celebrate their unique learning needs. The parents who are willing to do whatever it takes to help their child become the best he/she can be.

Some of my students have great, significant, all-emcompassing needs. I am with them during the school day, but the parents are there for life. Day in and day out. I admire their strength and resolve. They have taught me about unconditional love. And my heart is more open because of it...

I recently did a page about my job:

I get a lot of thanks from parents, and my response is, "Your welcome." But it is also, "Thank you." Thank you for sharing your wonderful child with me. For letting him/her touch my life in a way that no other could.

What beautiful post and wonderful page, Stacey. Unless you work with those with special needs you really don't understand all of the struggles and sacrifices that have to be made, nor the happiness that comes with each victory. I used to work with a lot of these kids for my job in physical therapy and also was the music director for a special needs group and loved it. Right now at my daughter's school I often get to work with a boy who is developmentally behind and I just get so happy when he actually GETS something. Even the little things are exciting. It takes a special person like you, Stacey, to make a difference in their lives.

I knew you were a teacher, but had no idea you taught special needs. My mom taught special needs for 30 years, and I was blessed enough to work closely with our special needs class when I taught in public. It really does take a special person to do what you do. I love this LO...just perfect in every way.

what a wonderful LO-perhaps I could get your permission to do the reverse and do a LO of the same but-thanking all the people who work with my son on a daily basis?? Sure, we parents of kids with different abilities work hard but without special educators and therapists who care & love our kids so much where would we be???-very special! I love it!